of the same. First, he had there a Dean, who was always a great clerk
and a divine; a Sub-dean; a Repeater of the quire; a Gospeller[79], a
Pisteller; and twelve singing Priests: of Scholars, he had first, a
Master of the children; twelve singing children; sixteen singing men;
with a servant to attend upon the said children. In the Revestry[80],
a yeoman and two grooms: then were there divers retainers of cunning
singing men, that came thither at divers sundry principal feasts. But
to speak of the furniture of his chapel passeth my capacity to declare
the number of the costly ornaments and rich jewels, that were occupied
in the same continually. For I have seen there, in a procession,
worn forty-four copes of one suit, very rich, besides the sumptuous
crosses, candlesticks, and other necessary ornaments to the comely
furniture of the same. Now shall ye understand that he had two cross
bearers, and two pillar bearers: and in his chamber, all these persons;
that is to say: his high Chamberlain, his Vice Chamberlain; twelve
Gentlemen ushers, daily waiters; besides two in his privy chamber; and
of Gentlemen waiters in his privy chamber he had six; and also he had
of Lords nine or ten[81], who had each of them allowed two servants;
and the Earl of Derby had allowed five men. Then had he of Gentlemen,
as cup-bearers, carvers, sewers, and Gentlemen daily waiters, forty
persons; of yeomen ushers he had six; of grooms in his chamber he had
eight; of yeomen of his chamber he had forty-six daily to attend upon
his person; he had also a priest there which was his Almoner, to attend
upon his table at dinner. Of doctors and chaplains attending in his
closet to say daily mass before him, he had sixteen persons: and a
clerk of his closet. Also he had two secretaries, and two clerks of
his signet; and four counsellors learned in the laws of the realm.
And for as much as he was Chancellor of England, it was necessary for
him to have divers officers of the Chancery to attend daily upon him,
for the better furniture of the same. That is to say: first, he had the
Clerk of the Crown, a Riding Clerk, a Clerk of the Hanaper, a Chafer of
Wax. Then had he a Clerk of the Check, as well to check his Chaplains,
as his Yeomen of the Chamber; he had also four Footmen, which were
apparelled in rich running coats, whensoever he rode any journey.
Then had he an herald at Arms, and a Sergeant at Arms; a Physician;
an Apothecary; four Minstrels; a Keeper of his Tents, an Armourer; an
Instructor of his Wards; two Yeomen in his Wardrobe; and a Keeper of
his Chamber in the court. He had also daily in his house the Surveyor
of York, a Clerk of the Green Cloth; and an Auditor. All this number
of persons were daily attendant upon him in his house, down-lying and
up-rising. And at meals, there was continually in his chamber a board
kept for his Chamberlains, and Gentlemen Ushers, having with them a
mess of the young Lords[82], and another for gentlemen.
Besides all these, there was never an officer and gentleman, or any
other worthy person in his house, but he was allowed some three, some
two servants; and all other one at the least; which amounted to a
great number of persons. Now have I showed you the order of his house,
and what officers and servants he had, according to his checker roll,
attending daily upon him; besides his retainers, and other persons
being suitors, that most commonly were fed in his hall. And whensoever
we shall see any more such subjects within this realm, that shall
maintain any such estate and household, I am content he be advanced
above him in honour and estimation. Therefore here I make an end of his
household; whereof the number was about the sum of five hundred[83]
persons according to his checker roll.
You have heard of the order and officers of his house; now I do intend
to proceed forth unto other of his proceedings; for, after he was thus
furnished, in manner as I have before rehearsed unto you, he was twice
sent in embassy unto the Emperor Charles the Fifth, that now reigneth;
and father unto King Philip, now our sovereign lord. Forasmuch as the
old Emperor Maximilian was dead, and for divers urgent causes touching
the king's majesty, it was thought good that in so weighty a matter,
and to so noble a prince, that the Cardinal was most meet to be sent
on so worthy an embassy. Wherefore he being ready to take upon him the
charge thereof, was furnished in all degrees and purposes most likest a
great prince, which was much to the high honour of the king's majesty,
and of this realm. For first in his proceeding he was furnished like a
cardinal of high estimation, having all things thereto correspondent
and agreeable. His gentlemen, being in number very many, clothed in
livery coats of crimson velvet of the most purest colour that might be
invented, with chains of gold about their necks; and all his yeomen and
other mean officers were in coats of fine scarlet, guarded with black
velvet a hand broad. He being thus furnished in this manner, was twice
sent unto the emperor into Flanders, the emperor lying then in Bruges;
who entertained our ambassador very highly[84], discharging him and all
his train of their charge; for there was no house within all Bruges,
wherein any gentlemen of the Lord Ambassador's lay, or had recourse,
but that the owners of the houses were commanded by the emperor's
officers, that they, upon pain of their lives, should take no money
for any thing that the cardinal's servants should take or dispend in
victuals; no, although they were disposed to make any costly banquets:
furthermore commanding their said hosts, to see that they lacked no
such thing as they desired or required to have for their pleasures.
Also the emperor's officers every night went through the town, from
house to house, where as any English men lay or resorted, and there
served their liveries[85] for all night; which was done after this
manner: first, the emperor's officers brought in to the house a cast of
fine manchet bread[86], two great silver pots, with wine, and a pound
of fine sugar; white lights and yellow; a bowl or goblet of silver, to
drink in; and every night a staff torch. This was the order of their
liveries every night. And then in the morning, when the officers came
to fetch away their stuff, then would they accompt with the host for
the gentlemen's costs spent in that night and day before. Thus the
emperor entertained the cardinal and all his train, for the time of his
embassy there. And that done, he returned home again into England, with
great triumph, being no less in estimation with the king than he was
before, but rather much more.
Now will I declare unto you his order in going to Westminster Hall,
daily in the term season. First, before his coming out of his privy
chamber, he heard most commonly every day two masses in his privy
closet; and there then said his daily service with his chaplain: and
as I heard his chaplain say, being a man of credence and of excellent
learning, that the cardinal, what business or weighty matters soever
he had in the day, he never went to his bed with any part of his
divine service unsaid, yea not so much as one collect; wherein I doubt
not but he deceived the opinion of divers persons. And after mass he
would return in his privy chamber again, and being advertised of the
furniture of his chambers without, with noblemen, gentlemen, and other
persons, would issue out into them, appareled all in red, in the habit
of a cardinal; which was either of fine scarlet, or else of crimson
satin, taffety, damask, or caffa, the best that he could get for money:
and upon his head a round pillion, with a noble of black velvet set to
the same in the inner side; he had also a tippet of fine sables about
his neck; holding in his hand a very fair orange, whereof the meat
or substance within was taken out, and filled up again with the part
of a sponge, wherein was vinegar, and other confections against the
pestilent airs; the which he most commonly smelt unto, passing among
the press, or else when he was pestered with many suitors. There was
also borne before him first, the great seal of England, and then his
cardinal's hat, by a nobleman or some worthy gentleman, right solemnly,
bareheaded. And as soon as he was entered into his chamber of presence,
where there was attending his coming to await upon him to Westminster
Hall, as well noblemen and other worthy gentlemen, as noblemen and
gentlemen of his own family; thus passing forth with two great crosses
of silver borne before him[87]; with also two great pillars of silver,
and his pursuivant at arms with a great mace of silver gilt. Then
his gentlemen ushers cried, and said: "On, my lords and masters, on
before; make way for my Lord's Grace!" Thus passed he down from his
chamber through the hall; and when he came to the hall door, there was
attendant for him his mule, trapped all together in crimson velvet, and
gilt stirrups. When he was mounted, with his cross bearers, and pillar
bearers[88], also upon great horses trapped with [fine] scarlet. Then
marched he forward, with his train and furniture in manner as I have
declared, having about him four footmen, with gilt pollaxes in their
hands; and thus he went until he came to Westminster Hall door. And
there alighted, and went after this manner, up through the hall into
the chancery; howbeit he would most commonly stay awhile at a bar, made
for him, a little beneath the chancery [on the right hand], and there
commune some time with the judges, and sometime with other persons. And
that done he would repair into the chancery, sitting there till eleven
of the clock, hearing suitors, and determining of divers matters.
And from thence, he would divers times go into the star chamber, as
occasion did serve; where he spared neither high nor low, but judged
every estate according to their merits and deserts.
He used every Sunday to repair to the court, being then for the most
part at Greenwich, in the term; with all his former order, taking his
barge at his privy stairs, furnished with tall yeomen standing upon the
bayles, and all gentlemen being within with him; and landed again at
the Crane in the vintry. And from thence he rode upon his mule, with
his crosses, his pillars, his hat, and the great seal, through Thames
Street, until he came to Billingsgate, or thereabout; and there took
his barge again, and rowed to Greenwich, where he was nobly received
of the lords and chief officers of the king's house, as the treasurer
and comptroller, with others; and so conveyed to the king's chamber:
his crosses commonly standing for the time of his abode in the court,
on the one side of the king's cloth of estate. He being thus in the
court, it was wonderly furnished with noblemen and gentlemen, much
otherwise than it was before his coming. And after dinner, among the
lords, having some consultation with the king, or with the council,
he would depart homeward with like state[89]: and this order he used
continually, as opportunity did serve.
Thus in great honour, triumph, and glory, he reigned a long season,
ruling all things within this realm, appertaining unto the king, by
his wisdom, and also all other weighty matters of foreign regions,
with which the king of this realm had any occasion to intermeddle.
All ambassadors of foreign potentates were always dispatched by his
discretion, to whom they had always access for their dispatch. His
house was also always resorted and furnished with noblemen, gentlemen,
and other persons, with going and coming in and out, feasting and
banqueting all ambassadors diverse times, and other strangers right
nobly.
And when it pleased the king's majesty, for his recreation, to repair
unto the cardinal's house, as he did divers times in the year, at which
time there wanted no preparations, or goodly furniture, with viands of
the finest sort that might be provided for money or friendship. Such
pleasures were then devised for the king's comfort and consolation,
as might be invented, or by man's wit imagined. The banquets were set
forth, with masks and mummeries, in so gorgeous a sort, and costly
manner, that it was a heaven to behold. There wanted no dames, or
damsels, meet or apt to dance with the maskers, or to garnish the place
for the time, with other goodly disports. Then was there all kind of
music and harmony set forth, with excellent voices both of men and
children. I have seen the king suddenly come in thither in a mask, with
a dozen of other maskers, all in garments like shepherds, made of fine
cloth of gold and fine crimson satin paned, and caps of the same, with
visors of good proportion of visnomy; their hairs, and beards, either
of fine gold wire, or else of silver, and some being of black silk;
having sixteen torch bearers, besides their drums, and other persons
attending upon them, with visors, and clothed all in satin, of the
same colours. And at his coming, and before he came into the hall, ye
shall understand, that he came by water to the water gate, without any
noise; where, against his coming, were laid charged many chambers[90],
and at his landing they were all shot off, which made such a rumble in
the air, that it was like thunder. It made all the noblemen, ladies,
and gentlewomen, to muse what it should mean coming so suddenly,
they sitting quietly at a solemn banquet; under this sort: First, ye
shall perceive that the tables were set in the chamber of presence,
banquet-wise covered, my Lord Cardinal sitting under the cloth of
estate, and there having his service all alone; and then was there
set a lady and a nobleman, or a gentleman and gentlewoman, throughout
all the tables in the chamber on the one side, which were made and
joined as it were but one table. All which order and device was done
and devised by the Lord Sands, Lord Chamberlain to the king; and also
by Sir Henry Guilford, Comptroller to the king. Then immediately after
this great shot of guns, the cardinal desired the Lord Chamberlain, and
Comptroller, to look what this sudden shot should mean, as though he
knew nothing of the matter. They thereupon looking out of the windows
into Thames, returned again, and showed him, that it seemed to them
there should be some noblemen and strangers arrived at his bridge, as
ambassadors from some foreign prince. With that, quoth the cardinal,
"I shall desire you, because ye can speak French, to take the pains
to go down into the hall to encounter and to receive them, according
to their estates, and to conduct them into this chamber, where they
shall see us, and all these noble personages sitting merrily at our
banquet, desiring them to sit down with us, and to take part of our
fare and pastime. Then [they] went incontinent down into the hall,
where they received them with twenty new torches, and conveyed them
up into the chamber, with such a number of drums and fifes as I have
seldom seen together, at one time in any masque. At their arrival
into the chamber, two and two together, they went directly before the
cardinal where he sat, saluting him very reverently; to whom the Lord
Chamberlain for them said: "Sir, for as much as they be strangers, and
can speak no English, they have desired me to declare unto your Grace
thus: they, having understanding of this your triumphant banquet,
where was assembled such a number of excellent fair dames, could do
no less, under the supportation of your good grace, but to repair
hither to view as well their incomparable beauty, as for to accompany
them at mumchance[91], and then after to dance with them, and so to
have of them acquaintance. And, sir, they furthermore require of your
Grace licence to accomplish the cause of their repair." To whom the
cardinal answered, that he was very well contented they should so do.
Then the maskers went first and saluted all the dames as they sat, and
then returned to the most worthiest, and there opened a cup full of
gold, with crowns, and other pieces of coin, to whom they set divers
pieces to cast at. Thus in this manner perusing all the ladies and
gentlewomen, and to some they lost, and of some they won. And thus
done, they returned unto the cardinal, with great reverence, pouring
down all the crowns in the cup, which was about two hundred crowns.
"At all," quoth the cardinal, and so cast the dice, and won them all
at a cast; whereat was great joy made. Then quoth the cardinal to my
Lord Chamberlain, "I pray you," quoth he, "show them that it seemeth
me that there should be among them some noble man, whom I suppose to
be much more worthy of honour to sit and occupy this room and place
than I; to whom I would most gladly, if I knew him, surrender my
place according to my duty." Then spake my Lord Chamberlain unto them
in French, declaring my Lord Cardinal's mind, and they rounding[92]
him again in the ear, my Lord Chamberlain said to my Lord Cardinal,
"Sir, they confess," quoth he, "that among them there is such a noble
personage, whom, if your Grace can appoint him from the other, he is
contented to disclose himself, and to accept your place most worthily."
With that the cardinal, taking a good advisement among them, at the
last, quoth he, "Me seemeth the gentleman with the black beard should
be even he." And with that he arose out of his chair, and offered the
same to the gentleman in the black beard, with his cap in his hand.
The person to whom he offered then his chair was Sir Edward Neville,
a comely knight of a goodly personage, that much more resembled the
king's person in that mask, than any other. The king, hearing and
perceiving the cardinal so deceived in his estimation and choice, could
not forbear laughing; but plucked down his visor, and Master Neville's
also, and dashed out with such a pleasant countenance and cheer, that
all noble estates there assembled, seeing the king to be there amongst
them, rejoiced very much. The cardinal eftsoons desired his highness
to take the place of estate, to whom the king answered, that he would
go first and shift his apparel; and so departed, and went straight
into my lord's bedchamber, where was a great fire made and prepared
for him; and there new apparelled him with rich and princely garments.
And in the time of the king's absence, the dishes of the banquet were
clean taken up, and the tables spread again with new and sweet perfumed
cloths; every man sitting still until the king and his maskers came
in among them again, every man being newly apparelled. Then the king
took his seat under the cloth of estate, commanding no man to remove,
but sit still, as they did before. Then in came a new banquet before
the king's majesty, and to all the rest through the tables, wherein, I
suppose, were served two hundred dishes or above, of wondrous costly
meats and devices, subtilly devised. Thus passed they forth the whole
night with banqueting, dancing, and other triumphant devices, to the
great comfort of the king, and pleasant regard of the nobility there
assembled.
All this matter I have declared at large, because ye shall understand
what joy and delight the cardinal had to see his prince and sovereign
lord in his house so nobly entertained and pleased, which was always
his only study, to devise things to his comfort, not passing of the
charges or expenses. It delighted him so much, to have the king's
pleasant princely presence, that no thing was to him more delectable
than to cheer his sovereign lord, to whom he owed so much obedience and
loyalty; as reason required no less, all things well considered.
Thus passed the cardinal his life and time, from day to day, and year
to year, in such great wealth, joy, and triumph, and glory, having
always on his side the king's especial favour; until Fortune, of whose
favour no man is longer assured than she is disposed, began to wax
something wroth with his prosperous estate, [and] thought she would
devise a mean to abate his high port; wherefore she procured Venus,
the insatiate goddess, to be her instrument. To work her purpose, she
brought the king in love with a gentlewoman, that, after she perceived
and felt the king's good will towards her, and how diligent he was both
to please her, and to grant all her requests, she wrought the cardinal
much displeasure; as hereafter shall be more at large declared. This
gentlewoman, the daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, being at that time but
only a bachelor knight, the which after, for the love of his daughter,
was promoted to higher dignities. He bare at divers several times
for the most part all the rooms of estimation in the king's house;
as Comptroller, Treasurer, Vice Chamberlain, and Lord Chamberlain.
Then was he made Viscount Rochford; and at the last created Earl of
Wiltshire, and Knight of the noble Order of the Garter; and, for his
more increase of gain and honour, he was made Lord Privy Seal, and most
chiefest of the king's privy council. Continuing therein until his son
and daughter did incur the king's indignation and displeasure. The king
fantasied so much his daughter Anne, that almost all things began to
grow out of frame and good order[93].
To tell you how the king's love began to take place, and what followed
thereof, I will even as much as in me lieth, declare [unto] you. This
gentlewoman, Mistress Anne Boleyn, being very young[94] was sent into
the realm of France, and there made one of the French[95] queen's
women, continuing there until the French queen died. And then was she
sent for home again; and being again with her father, he made such
means that she was admitted to be one of Queen Katharine's maids, among
whom, for her excellent gesture and behaviour, [she] did excel all
other; in so much, as the king began to kindle the brand of amours;
which was not known to any person, ne scantly to her own person.